Aims, methods and content employed in religious education : a comparative case study between Year Six primary state, church and independent schools

Abstract

This comparative case study aimed at analysing the differences and common elements that exist in the aims and in the way teachers teach religious education to year six children in three different types of schools namely, Church, Independent and State. This research is based on semi-structured interviews administered to 9 teachers and on observation sessions conducted in the respective classrooms during religious education lessons. In this dissertation we also made an analysis of the Junior Lyceum and of the Common Entrance religion examination papers 2001. From this research it was found out that the State schools are the ones who focus mostly on exams and use the textbook "Lejn il-Missier 6" as their main resource. The Independent schools allocate less time to religious education. Finally, the greatest emphasis on religious education is made in the Church schools through material and ideological practices, since children are immersed in a purely religious environment and are encouraged to fully participate in various religious activities rather than solely the religion lesson.